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Arab World

Sudan Calls On Security Council to Intervene, Halt GERD 2nd Filling

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam before the second filling phase next July. (Reuters)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam before the second filling phase next July. (Reuters)
    Cairo, Khartoum- Ahmed Younis and Mohamed Nabil Helmy
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Sudan Calls On Security Council to Intervene, Halt GERD 2nd Filling

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam before the second filling phase next July. (Reuters)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam before the second filling phase next July. (Reuters)

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi has considered Ethiopia’s plans to move forward with the second phase of filling its mega-dam on the Blue Nile an “attack” on her country.

She called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene to reach friendly solutions and halt the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) threatening regional peace and security.

In a letter addressed to the media, the FM stressed that Ethiopians have disrespected good neighborliness when they carried out the first filling of the dam reservoir in July 2020.

Addis Ababa’s announcing it would carry out the second filling in the next rainy season is a “flagrant violation of Sudan’s national security and endangers the lives of 20 million Sudanese living downstream of the GERD.”

Mahdi attached to the letter a study presented to the international community and the region, in which she outlined Sudan’s firm position on the GERD project.

She further slammed Ethiopia’s unilateral steps taken in this regard and without reaching any legally binding agreement with relevant countries.

According to the text study, Khartoum informed the Security Council about the developments in the African Union-sponsored negotiations with Addis Ababa.

It highlighted Addis Ababa’s insistence to proceed with the second filling unilaterally, which was deepening the crisis and preventing disputed parties from reaching amicable solutions.

Mahdi urged the Security Council to support Sudan and Egypt’s efforts to expand negotiations on GERD’s filling and operation, return to the round table as soon as possible and reach a comprehensive and final agreement.

The Foreign Ministry called on Ethiopia to recognize Sudan’s rights and ensure that its unilateral steps do not affect the Sudanese people.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tweeted on Sunday that the second filling of the mega-dam will go ahead as scheduled in July/August, noting that this step will prevent floods in neighboring Sudan.

Cairo and Khartoum reject Addis Ababa’s unilateral second filling of the dam before reaching a binding agreement.

The latest round of talks between the three countries in Kinshasa ended with no progress reached.

Cairo and Khartoum have earlier proposed to include the European Union, United States, and United Nations in the negotiations, in an addition to current African Union mediators. However, the proposal was rejected by Addis Ababa.

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Arab World

Lebanon–Israel Talks: A ‘Political Declaration’ and Return to UN Resolution 1701?

Two Israeli soldiers walk past a large billboard in central Tel Aviv reading “Thank you God and Donald Trump” (Reuters). 
Two Israeli soldiers walk past a large billboard in central Tel Aviv reading “Thank you God and Donald Trump” (Reuters). 
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Lebanon–Israel Talks: A ‘Political Declaration’ and Return to UN Resolution 1701?

Two Israeli soldiers walk past a large billboard in central Tel Aviv reading “Thank you God and Donald Trump” (Reuters). 
Two Israeli soldiers walk past a large billboard in central Tel Aviv reading “Thank you God and Donald Trump” (Reuters). 

Hopes for imminent negotiations between Lebanon and Israel have been tempered after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sunday that no talks are expected in the coming days, despite reports suggesting discussions could begin this week on a French-backed plan to end the conflict.

France’s Foreign Ministry also said there was no French initiative currently on the table, casting further doubt on speculation about a diplomatic breakthrough.

Reports in Tel Aviv had suggested negotiations might begin Wednesday around a proposal centered on a political declaration that could serve as the basis for a non-aggression agreement between the two countries and possibly pave the way for a broader peace arrangement.

But Saar said Israel has no intention of entering direct negotiations with Lebanon to end the war that began earlier this month.

Political sources in Tel Aviv described his comments as a familiar Israeli tactic aimed at maintaining pressure on Hezbollah and the Lebanese government while keeping the diplomatic track ambiguous. According to these sources, Israel is unlikely to enter negotiations unless Hezbollah halts its attacks.

A Lebanese official told Agence France-Presse on Saturday that “negotiations are on the table and preparations are under way to form a delegation,” but stressed that Lebanon needs an Israeli commitment to a ceasefire before talks can begin.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tasked former strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer with handling the Lebanese file and managing any potential negotiations with the United States and Lebanon.

A source in Tel Aviv also said the US administration had asked Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, to oversee the negotiations.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking in Beirut, said diplomatic channels remain open to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

‘Positive Contribution’

Political sources in Tel Aviv said Washington had urged Israel to help create conditions for negotiations by reducing strikes in Lebanon and avoiding civilian infrastructure.

That request, however, reportedly lost momentum after the bombing of the Zahrani Bridge over the Litani River. According to the sources, Washington’s main red lines for Israel are avoiding strikes on Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport and the city’s seaport.

Channel 12 reported that the proposed negotiations would focus on a political declaration in which Lebanon would recognize Israel while Israel would affirm Lebanon’s territorial integrity.

The process would begin with a ceasefire followed by a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Sources familiar with the proposal said the plan — reportedly drafted by France — includes what would be an unprecedented step: Lebanese recognition of Israel. Negotiations supported by the United States and France would aim to reach the political declaration within a month.

Paris or Cyprus?

Talks would initially take place at the level of senior diplomats before moving to higher-level political negotiations. France reportedly wants to host the discussions in Paris, while Israel prefers Cyprus.

The proposed declaration would reaffirm Israel’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides would also recommit to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, as well as the 2024 ceasefire agreement.

Lebanon would pledge to prevent attacks on Israel from its territory and move ahead with plans to disarm Hezbollah and end its military activity. The Lebanese Army would redeploy south of the Litani River, while Israel would withdraw within a month from areas captured since the start of the current conflict.

Monitoring of ceasefire violations would be carried out through a US-led mechanism. UNIFIL would verify Hezbollah’s disarmament south of the Litani, while an international coalition authorized by the UN Security Council would oversee broader disarmament across Lebanon.

Under the French proposal, Lebanon would declare its readiness to negotiate a permanent non-aggression agreement with Israel within two months, formally ending the state of war between the two countries.

Israel would then withdraw from five positions in southern Lebanon that its forces have held since November 2024. The final stage would involve demarcating permanent borders between Israel and Lebanon — and between Lebanon and Syria — by the end of 2026.

Arab World

Israel Army Says Begun 'Limited Targeted Ground Operations' against Hezbollah in South Lebanon

An Israeli artillery unit fires, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem
An Israeli artillery unit fires, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem
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Israel Army Says Begun 'Limited Targeted Ground Operations' against Hezbollah in South Lebanon

An Israeli artillery unit fires, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem
An Israeli artillery unit fires, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem

The Israeli military said on Monday it had begun what it described as "limited ground operations" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The military said in a statement that in recent days, Israeli army “troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, aimed at enhancing the forward defense area”.

"This activity is part of broader defensive efforts to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture, which includes the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel," it said.

"Prior to the troops' entry into the area,” the Israeli army “conducted strikes using both artillery and the Israeli Air Force against numerous terrorist targets in order to mitigate threats in the operational environment."

Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war on March 2 when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes, with Israel launching air raids on the neighboring country and troop incursions into border areas.

Arab World

UN Force in Lebanon Says Peacekeepers Fired Upon ‘Likely by Non-State Armed Groups’

United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past a destroyed healthcare center building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on March 14, 2026. (AFP)
United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past a destroyed healthcare center building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on March 14, 2026. (AFP)
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UN Force in Lebanon Says Peacekeepers Fired Upon ‘Likely by Non-State Armed Groups’

United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past a destroyed healthcare center building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on March 14, 2026. (AFP)
United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past a destroyed healthcare center building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalawiya on March 14, 2026. (AFP)

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said its peacekeepers were fired upon three times on Sunday, "likely by non-state armed groups" in the country's south.

The incident came two days after a different UN position was hit by fire that official Lebanese media blamed on Israel, with UNIFIL saying it was investigating.

"Today, UNIFIL peacekeepers were fired upon, likely by non-state armed groups, on three separate occasions while conducting patrols around their bases" in south Lebanon, the force said in a statement.

In one of the locations, the fire struck "as close as five meters from the peacekeepers", it added.

"Two patrols returned fire in self-defense and after brief exchanges, the patrols resumed their planned activities. No peacekeeper was injured," the statement said.

"We strongly remind all actors of their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times."

Lebanon was drawn into the broader Middle East war on March 2, when the Tehran-backed group Hezbollah attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

Israel has since launched waves of air strikes on its northern neighbor and deployed troop into border areas, while Hezbollah has launched rockets and missiles towards Israeli territory and troops.

Lebanese state media said that Israeli fire hit a UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon on Friday.

UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said the position was hit "likely by heavy machine gun fire", without identifying the source, and said an investigation had been launched into the incident, which left one peacekeeper lightly wounded.

Earlier this month, three peacekeepers serving with a Ghanaian contingent were wounded in south Lebanon, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accusing Israel of being responsible and UNIFIL saying it would investigate.

On Saturday, during a visit to Beirut, UN chief Antonio Guterres said attacks against peacekeepers and their positions were "completely unacceptable and... may constitute war crimes".

UNIFIL has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. Its mission concludes at the end of this year.